Raiders name Kirk Cousins Week 1 starter; No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza is the backup

The Raiders’ official site, in a Sept. 2, 2026, post timed 9:30 a.m., wrote: “Kirk Cousins will be the Raiders' starting quarterback heading into Week 1 of the 2026 season.” Head coach Klint Kubiak made the announcement Wednesday morning after practice. Kubiak said: “Kirk's had a really good offseason, very good camp and he's earned it.” The same page says the competition had been among Cousins, Aidan O'Connell, and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

NFL.com’s Grant Gordon wrote the same day: “Cousins, who got the nod over the 2026 NFL Draft’s No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell, will begin his tenure as Raiders starter against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13, rookie head coach Klint Kubiak announced on Wednesday.”

The Raiders’ page says Cousins is gearing up for his 15th NFL season, with 167 starts, 44,700 passing yards, 298 passing touchdowns, and 88 career wins. In two preseason appearances for Las Vegas, that page says he completed 76.5 percent of his passes for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Asked Wednesday if there is any expectation for Mendoza to play this season, Kubiak said, per NFL.com: “Let's work to Miami first.” The 2026 regular season has not started. Week 1 is the current week on the Sport calendar. First kickoff is Wednesday, Sept. 9. Dolphins at Raiders is Sunday, Sept. 13, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX, Allegiant Stadium.